Carlos Alves
Ventana Solar, 1994
Ceramic tile/mixed media

A Miami ceramist who uses found objects and broken tiles,Alves has created two separate and unique installations at the Eighth Street Metromover station. On the south side of the station, a ceramic royal palm tree rises from ground level to the top of the station. As in Jose Marti's poetry, the royal palm represents freedom. On the north side, "Portón de Sentimientos" (gate of emotions) symbolizes the gateway to Calle Ocho. The handles are red tile in the shape of a heart (as in "heart of palm"), echoing the palm image on the Eighth Street side of the station. Using recycled ceramics and items embedded in clay that were collected from Calle Ocho merchants, Ventana Solar (solar window) represents a Cuban colonial window to the area.

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